Working our way through the defense, we move off the line and into the linebackers. Most teams tend to deploy two full-time starting off-ball these days, even in 4-3 alignments. That’s because nickel defense is used more often than base defense which replaces a linebacker with a defensive back.
With that in mind, we rank the linebacking corps in the AFC West.
1. Broncos
Starters: Alexander Johnson, Josey Jewell
These two combined for an astounding 237 tackles between them which put them at one and two in the division. What’s crazy is it was the first full season either had as full-time starters. But the Broncos seem to have stumbled upon some gems in these two.
2. Raiders
Starters: Cory Littleton, Nick Kwiatkoski
Last offseason the Raiders went out and got Littleton and Kwiatkoski to upgrade their longtime weak spot at linebacker. It didn’t work out as they had hoped, but there is reason to believe it could. While Littleton was a big disappointment as the team’s big free agent get, there was a decided difference in the play of the defense with Kwiatkoski on the field than without.
As for Littleton, he was considered one of the best coverage linebackers in the league last year and then looked completely out of sorts. That’s often a surefire sign of a poor fit. And if that’s the case, changing out defensive coordinator Paul Guenther for Gus Bradley could get Littleton back to the player he had been with the Rams.
3. Chargers
Starters: Kenneth Murray, Drue Tranquill
In 2019 Tranquill showed well for himself. Then the Chargers made Murray their top pick in the draft only to lose Tranquill for the season after one game. Murray went on to put up 107 tackles as a rookie. This season they could actually take the field together.
4. Chiefs
Starters: Anthony Hitchens/Nick Bolton, Willie Gay Jr
Selecting Nick Bolton in the second round of this year’s draft could mean the Chiefs are looking to get him on the field sooner than later. And since Hitchens is only a marginal starter, you could see why.
Despite Gay appearing in 16 games last season with eight starts, he put up just 39 combined tackles and three pass breakups. This unit has a lot to prove.
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